8 Crafts You Need to Try During Covid-19
We tested them out and here's our takeaway!
Has Covid-19 left you exhausted and disoriented?
When someone mentions Covid-19 to you, what are the first few things that come to mind? Since December 2019, Covid-19 has truly transformed our world and perceptions of what life can look like. We tried out different crafts to cope with the circumstances and here are some of our takeaways.
Covid-19 represents a new era that paints a new paradigm for us to view life.
Life is now marked by the pre-pandemic versus post-pandemic era. The pre-pandemic world was heading in the direction of globalization, with travel being convenient. Now, travel is a huge hassle and for some cities like Hong Kong, it truly feels like there’s a sense of isolation and that we are headed in the direction of de-globalization. The digital era was booming before the pandemic, with screen addiction already being a struggle. The pandemic ushered in a whole new way of life, in which everyone young and old became dependent on screens and technology. Not only for entertainment but for everyday work, school, and socialization. Due to safety, virtual has become the way we even order food and services. I remember how it felt to suddenly be thrust into online teaching as a teacher.
Covid-19 causes fatigue. With all the drastic changes in lifestyle and prevailing circumstances, it seems there is no going back.
There is no doubt about the emotional consequences that the pandemic causes, which we can all relate to. Lifestyle changes cause a feeling of uncertainty and fear. Social distancing and quarantine lead to isolation, with a sense of distance between people. As a teacher, I felt so frustrated with not being able to smile through my mask to students, which could give them reassurance and help build relationships.
The mental health of Hong Kong had already been in decline since the summer of 2019 when schools experienced shutdowns due to political turmoil. This, combined with strict regulations during the pandemic (Hong Kong had the world’s longest quarantine rules, 21 days…) led to extra emotions of stress. As parts of the world begin to open up, we are currently still in the midst of our fifth Covid-19 wave.
Even though we cannot control the circumstances, we can make adjustments in our lifestyle to improve our overall health. To refresh ourselves and stimulate our creativity, we decided to try out these crafts.
Here are 8 crafts to try during the pandemic, and why we recommend them.
1. Modern Calligraphy
My initial testing of the pens
practicing with the dip pen with the kit
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: Calligraphy is a great craft to try during Covid-19. If you enjoy calm and quiet activities, modern calligraphy is a very therapeutic skill to learn. There is an array of styles that you can try using various ink pens. It is harder than it looks, and we enjoyed practicing the different types of strokes. It takes a lot of patience and we cannot say we have mastered the craft. For those who enjoy writing with ink and paper, we would recommend hand-lettering. We particularly loved the effect of the dip pen, because the nibs provide thick and thin strokes.
🌟 Benefits: Writing intentionally with ink physically on a paper was restful, especially given how much typing we do on a daily basis. It is a relatively easy craft to start in terms of supplies, as it requires only a proper writing pen, ink, and paper. Handwritten lettering allows you to stop and pay attention to the little details. It is stylish and trendy, and can be incorporated into other creative projects as well! Most importantly, this craft will help you slow down amidst restlessness.
✍️ Things to note: From ink pens, and brush pens, to calligraphy pencils and nibs, there is a wide range of tools to try out. You can even order a calligraphy kit online, like this one that we got from Kalo Make Art (Hong Kong-based).
💡 Suggested project: Write a personal card to a family member or friend, including an encouraging quote.
📚 Books/website recommended:
Modern Calligraphy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Hand-Lettering by Lucy Edmonds
Kalo Make Art: her website has some good resources, online courses, and supplies
Parts of the calligraphy kit I ordered and the book I used to practice
2. Homemade Candles
The prototype I made in 2020
the first candle I poured in 2019
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: After a workshop run by a fellow colleague at school with students, I decided to order a bunch of supplies and try it myself at home! Candle-making challenged me because it is a science in the sense that you have to measure ingredients and pour wax at the right temperature. I often have a fixed mindset regarding my lack of skill in measuring things accurately, so it was a hurdle to overcome. I am glad I took the leap to try it because I got so interested in it that I mass hauled supplies from a local vendor and started experimenting. You can experiment with the ratio between different waxes and mix fragrance oils together. I ended up indulging in candle-making for over two years, and can now say I really enjoy this craft. I even have a formula for my own custom wax!
🌟 Benefits: The learning curve to making basic candles is not high. It is very relaxing to stir and watch the wax and scents melt together. There is so much room for creativity in candle making, with the sheer amount of fragrance oils, waxes, containers, and wick styles. Once you get the hang of making a candle, you can easily pour a large amount in a short amount of time. This is a great activity for those stuck at home as the beautiful scents will improve your home office. You can even share the candles with friends and colleagues, and I also had fun coming up with potential packaging designs.
✍️ Things to note: Ensure lots of ventilation to avoid fumes and be safe! I used an electric stove and an electronic thermometer to check for the correct temperatures. Be mindful of the ratio between fragrance oil and wax (more oil does not mean a better scent). It is easy to learn how to make candles, but it is not easy to make high-quality candles, so make sure to experiment and practice.
💡 Suggested projects: It can be tempting to order a ton of fragrant scents in the beginning, but I recommend just ordering 2-3 scents, 1 type of wax, and 1 type of container. You will need an electric stove, a silicon mixer, and a metal container for wax mixing. Goggles also help.
📚Books/website recommended:
A Scented Life by Pat Princi Jame
Youtube channels: Memory Box Candle Co. & Jeff Stanley
Candle Element (local Hong Kong vendor)
3. Soap Making
The mixture inside the mold
Ready to slice the soap bars
End result!
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: Of all the crafts tried, I found this the most difficult so it is helpful if a friend or family member can do it with you. We tried hot-process soap, the challenging alternative to soft-process soap. If you are not good at measuring things accurately and quickly, ask someone at home for assistance. You will be mixing an ingredient called lye (sodium hydroxide) and oils together. For those of you who love activities that require precision and are up for a challenge, we recommend this craft! The ability to customize colors, designs, and different textures allow much room for creativity. Not to mention, the final product smells really good.
🌟 Benefits: If the soap turns out good for use, you can use it to wash your hands. You can create several bars of soap from the mold. This means you can gift or store them for personal use!
✍️ Things to note: I would recommend using a smaller size silicon mold (I used this 500g silicon mold). From this size, you can slice around 5 bars of soap. When mixing, do so quickly and follow the instructions carefully. I made the mistake of not pouring fast enough into the mold, so the soap ended up a bit too brittle after curing. The ingredient lye is toxic, so handle it with care and wear goggles. Let the soap rest and cure before you use it because if the acidity level isn't correct, it is not good to use.
💡 Suggested projects: Make 1 batch of soap (500g soap), choose your favorite scent, and mix 1-2 colors inside it. Follow this tutorial by Jerika Zimmerman.
📚 Books/website recommended:
YouTube channel: Jerika Zimmerman
Website for soap making: Savon Workshop. We got our supplies here. They also have a soap-DIY kit available, although buying parts separately seems more economical. The kit is a good reference for what is needed.
4. Baking
Floral cake by Sasha Cheung
Macaron cake by Sasha Cheung
Peanut butter cookies by Eunice Lee
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: When Covid-19 first started, one of the first trends was baking. Suddenly, everyone who never baked before was trying it and sharing it online. My family's flour business in Hong Kong (Kangaroo Flour) benefited from this trend as I was informed sales were boosted due to higher demand for home baking. Baking is definitely another type of craft, which is why we were curious to try it out.
I myself feel quite averse to baking, but I hopped on the baking train. Giving it a try helped me overcome my lack of confidence, and the result was peanut butter and M&M's cookies. Some were burnt, but the next few batches were good enough to share with others (as pictured above). In contrast, Sasha is a baking extraordinaire in my eyes. She made several cakes for birthdays and bridal showers and continued to develop her skills by attending baking workshops.
🌟 Benefits: The people who get to eat your cake and cookies will benefit the most from this craft (yourself, family, or friends!). There are plentiful YouTube videos that teach step by step.
✍️ Things to note: Baking is a science and art, so be mindful as changing a recipe can really affect the final product (maybe for the better!). After baking, you can explore further by decorating your result. It does take effort to gather all the supplies required from the recipe, but you can likely purchase most of your supplies from your neighborhood grocery store. Baking supply stores are also a great resource!
💡 Suggested project: Make a small batch of peanut butter kiss cookies, following this tutorial by Preppy Kitchen for beginners. They taste delicious and are hard to mess up.
📚 Books/website recommended:
Great baking website: Sally's Baking Addiction
Youtube channels: CupcakeJemma, Bigger Bolder Baking, Preppy Kitchen
5. Punch Needle
Completed punch needle kit by Sasha Cheung (left)
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: This is a fun type of embroidery where you carry thread or yarn through a punch needle to create loops on a fabric. Punch needling can be quite versatile, as you can punch first into a surface, and then transform it into various products (plush, tote bag, cushion, embroidery hoops). There are two main types of stitches (looped and flat). Use different techniques and tools to create unique textures.
🌟 Benefits: Punch needling is not complex to pick up and is a tactile craft. Just feeling the fuzzy loops of thread or yarn can be very comforting. The resulting artwork is textural and colorful. If you enjoy home decor, this is a great craft to try as you can create coasters, cushions, and plushes. Once you get the basics of punch needling, then you can create your own designs. You can sketch out basic artwork either digitally or with colored pencils. Then, transfer the design onto your process.
✍️ Things to note: Be careful as you create each loop of yarn - it can be tricky as you can loosen previous yarn loops if you aren't careful. Take time to adjust the speed and pressure in which you punch.
💡 Suggested projects: Purchase a punch needle kit and try it out! If you enjoy the technique, you can proceed to create your own designs. Shops on Etsy like this one are great examples of beginner-friendly punch needle kits.
📚 Books/website recommended:
Punch Needle Academy: a great website to get started with all things punch needle, including online courses and blog articles.
6. Macrame
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: Macrame is the simplest to start, as it does not require any hooks but only yarn and hands. This is a relaxing craft to learn and consists of different knotting and braiding techniques. When designed with earth-toned yarns and wooden elements, the product can evoke bohemian-inspired aesthetics. Though macrame may remind you of trends on Pinterest or the maker movement, this craft actually goes way back. Macrame embodies ancient history and traces back to ancient Arabic artisans and Chinese knotting techniques. I enjoyed reading about its history in the two following articles. The rich history along with the option for complex techniques makes this a dynamic and sophisticated craft.
🌟 Benefits: Macrame techniques such as knotting and braiding requires focus and concentration. When I first tried it, I found it difficult to keep track of the multiple yarn pieces. There are so many functional and decorative products you can create with macrame. This includes wall hangings, accessories, and hangers.
✍️ Things to note: Macrame uses yarn
💡 Suggested projects: Create a basic macrame coaster with 1 type of yarn by following this tutorial from Create with Jenn.
📚 Books/website recommended:
Macrame website: https://modernmacrame.com/
History of Macrame: the Hunker.com
7. Crochet & Amigurumi
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: Crocheting is extremely versatile, allowing us to create 2D and 3D products. Although there was a huge learning curve, we absolutely fell in love with crocheting as it is very different from our main specialty in painting. It requires more spacial thinking (bringing yarn up, down, and around) and patience, building the product up stitch by stitch. This craft forces us to slow down. Not to mention, it is hard to get bored when there are 100+ crochet stitches and stitch pattern variations to learn. I found it very intriguing that no machine can replicate the crochet technique, unlike knitting or sewing.
It is hard to resist the fuzzy soft texture of different yarns, and once you go down the rabbit hole of yarn shopping, it is SO hard to stop. We are now committed to growing our technical skills in this craft. Luckily, we had an expert textile designer @Erika Mauer Design teach us some foundational skills so now we feel more confident! Being primarily 2D artists, crochet helps us get out of our comfort zone by allowing us to explore our creativity through textiles and 3D forms.
🌟 Benefits: It is very relaxing to do this craft while listening to a podcast or watching Netflix. The repetitive motions feel therapeutic and the soft texture makes you feel comfortable. The result provides functional products that require the basic supplies of hook and yarn. We have created baskets, plushes (my favorite), baby blankets, coasters, and trivets. For those of you who like home decor or textile-related products, this is a great option. When doing Amigurumi, the biggest benefit of all is that you can produce joy-inducing plushes that are huggable, which can relieve stress!
✍️ Things to note: Some of the hardest skills in crochet we found included: putting our stitches into the right space, counting our stitches, learning how to read patterns, and learning the magic circle. Once you pick up these skills, it can make your crocheting process much easier! One of our favorite techniques is the tapestry crochet technique (where you change colors to create a pattern). For basics, start out with acrylic yarn (cheaper and works for many products) and 4 or 5-mm hooks. For amigurumi, you also may need to sew on parts to form different shapes.
*Honorable mention: Knitting- I also tried knitting, which is very different from crocheting. It is just as relaxing, but the techniques are not the same. Basic skills to learn include how to cast on and cast off a project, as well as color-changing with the intarsia technique. We don't have as much experience in knitting, but we would still recommend it if you have not tried it before.
📚 Books/website recommended:
Very helpful crochet website: DaisyFarm Crafts (they provide wonderful tutorials on their YouTube channel)
Amigurumi website: https://littleworldofwhimsy.com/
Recommended knitting project: B. Hooked Crochet and Knitting Youtube Channel
8. Painting
Snippet from my work-from-home painting corner
🤔💭 Our thoughts on the craft: We couldn't make this post without mentioning our favorite art form of all - painting! Although we didn't learn painting for this experiment, we sure painted plenty during the pandemic and will continue to do so. Painting is a craft that enables self-expression. You can choose styles that have a broad range, from those that favor precision and representational work to abstract, expressive textures. It is therapeutic, and based on your preference can be done quickly or require a longer period of time. Painting is all about color, movement of brush strokes, and capturing the essence of an idea. If you do not paint often, do yourself a favor and give this art form a go!
🌟 Benefits: Wide range of mediums to try out including watercolor, gouache, acrylics, and oil painting.
✍️ Things to note: Art supplies are not cheap. If you are trying this out for the first time, buy a basic watercolor set from Winsor & Newton. Watercolor just requires water, watercolor paper, and a brush.
💡 Suggested projects: Create a watercolor pattern collage, as shown in the below video.
📚 Books/website recommended:
Our Conclusion After Trying Out All These Crafts
There was nothing to lose by trying, and it was great to challenge ourselves. With books and platforms like YouTube at our disposal, we were able to quickly learn the different crafts. They can be done at home on your own, or with those you live with. We would encourage you to focus on enjoying the process, rather than stressing yourself out to become excellent at these crafts. You may find yourself becoming passionate about one of these art forms, and from there you can build your skills.
We hope that by reading our guide to these crafts you will be encouraged to try something new. Go ahead and give one of these projects a try!